The clash follows the teams’ respective round one losses to their Welsh and English counterparts, with the nations drawn together for the round two head-to-head.

The changes are split evenly between backs and forwards, with Saul Melvin-Farr, Ben Robbins [pictured] and Hugh Fraser starting at full-back, wing and scrum-half in place of Ruairi Howarth, Reuben Norville and Andrew Manson.

Two of the three pack changes appear in the front-row, with Gary Robertson and Lewis Anderson starting at prop and hooker respectively, while Callum Hunter-Hill is handed his first start at lock in place of Andrew Davidson.

Pollock said: “We have three games in ten days in this Championship and, for many players, this is a fourth international in as many weeks

"With another game to come this Saturday, it’s important that we field a strong team while managing the load on the players.

“The guys coming in have featured and performed well when they’ve come off the bench.

“We’ve got strength and depth in this squad and they deserve this opportunity. It’s been a difficult selection, which in itself is a good thing.”

Speaking on tomorrow’s opponents, Pollock added: “Portugal are a very passionate and committed side, with no lack of effort, skill and ability.

“They’ve surprised a lot of people with the amount of width and ambition they’re playing with, more than you’d perhaps expect from a team seeded eighth versus a team seeded first [England].